What to Expect

Navigating the healthcare system can be complicated and frustrating. We’re here to help.

We do our best to provide the information you need to make the process clear and as easy as possible. Below is information that may help you. If we each do our part to make your care run smoothly, you will have a better health outcome and spend your money wisely.

New Patients

If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call our main number, (412) 831-0355, and select option 1. Our intake specialist will be able to assist you. Please have your insurance card available when you call.

Your first visit may be with one of our therapists to begin the evaluation and problem assessment. The clinician will guide you through a series of questions about your history and symptoms that you may be experiencing. The clinician will discuss treatment options and recommendations with you. In most cases, we recommend that you begin therapy and schedule the second part of your evaluation with one of our psychiatrists or nurse practitioners. The initial appointment generally lasts about 45 minutes.

Returning Patients

Welcome back. We know that circumstances change, and new challenges arise. We are here to help. If you are returning after more than a 6-month break in your treatment, we may schedule a new evaluation and problem assessment to be sure that we are up to date with your situation and able to meet your needs. You may resume your care with your prior clinician or start fresh with someone new.

Questions?

Don't see what you're looking for on this page? We're happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Please call us at (412) 831-0355 or follow the link below.

Prescription Management

If you and your doctor decide that medication is right for you, we will prescribe enough medication for you until the doctor wants you to return. Please schedule your follow up visit when you check out to be sure that you do not run out of medication. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, we want to hear from you right away.

Most medications that we prescribe require regular return visits for us to check on you. If you do not make a timely follow up appointment, we will not be able to provide refills without an upcoming scheduled appointment. When you call in for a refill prescription we will ask you to schedule an appointment and the doctor usually will only provide enough medication to get you to that scheduled appointment so scheduling and attending your appointments is very important to prevent interruptions in your treatment.

We must be especially careful if the prescribed medication is specifically monitored by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). When you come in for a visit, we can only write three, one-month prescriptions. It is important that you are seen before you get additional prescriptions.

If you do not make timely follow up appointments and need to call in for prescriptions, you may be charged $10.00 for a prescription refill. We do not charge to refill a prescription if the office cancels or moves your appointment.

Prior authorizations are required by many insurance companies for some prescription medications. If you go to the pharmacy to pick up your prescription and you find out that you need a prior authorization, give us a call. We will request the prior authorization. Please understand that the insurance company controls this process and it may take several days. If you are out of medication and you are waiting on a prior authorization, it may be a good idea to call the insurance company yourself to check on its progress and find out if the member services representative at your insurance company can expedite the prior authorization or provide an override for an initial prescription.

Insurance

We are not enrolled in Pennsylvania Fee for Service Medicaid and Managed Medicaid from other counties. We recommend that you call the member services number on the back of your insurance card to better understand your coverage and benefits for outpatient behavioral health. We will verify coverage for all new patients to be sure that we participate with your health insurance plan.

Attendance, No shows, and Late Cancellations

It is very important that you attend your appointments. You will not make progress if you do not participate in treatment and follow the mutually agreed upon treatment plan including the frequency of appointments.

We understand that schedules change, so please contact our office as soon as you know that you cannot attend your scheduled appointment. We are happy to cancel and reschedule your appointments with at least 24 hours’ notice. Even after business hours, you may leave a message on our main number (412) 831-0355 to let us know that your appointment needs to be cancelled or changed.

We try to meet the demand for appointments and we maintain an appointment waiting list. Our practice does not double book appointments and we reserved 45 minutes for your therapy and new patient appointments. We do not and cannot bill your insurance company for appointments that you do not attend. However, we may charge you a $50 fee for No Shows and Late Cancellations (less than 24 hours’ notice). Patients that repeatedly miss appointments without adequate notice may be terminated from treatment due to apparent lack of commitment to the treatment.

If you have an emergency or become ill, please promptly call and let us know the reason that you need to miss your appointment. We usually do not charge in these circumstances.

In An Emergency

We care about your health and helping you make wise care decisions. Understanding what kind of care you need is important.

If you think you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

If you are an existing patient and have an urgent symptom or you want to speak with your doctor or therapist during business hours, please call our office at (412) 831-0355 and select option 5. If it is after business hours or on the weekend, please call our answering service directly at (412) 571-5947.